“One is too many.” 

That’s the guiding motto of the Northwest South Operations team, first adopted back in 2016. On the surface, it’s a pithy statement, but to the over 200 members on the operations team who work by the motto, these few words carry a lot of weight. 

So far this year, the Washington and Oregon-based team has been injury-free. They attribute this success to fostering strong personal connections based on a shared commitment to maintaining strict safety protocols. 

“To truly make safety a priority, you need to establish a personal connection with your employees. Take the time to understand what motivates them, and unite everyone around a shared goal, such as our rallying cry of ‘one is too many,’” said Grant Haag, general manager, Northwest Division.

This feat is made even more impressive when considering the unique environmental conditions that the Northwest division faces on a regular basis, including wildfires, heavy snow, and torrential rains. It’s an incredible testament to the power of the bonds forged at BNSF and what we can achieve when working as a team.